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Qantas unveils new bonus scheme for frequent flyers

Qantas has unveiled a new bonus scheme to reward its frequent flyer members.

Virgin and Qantas are locked in a Frequent Flyer battle.
Virgin and Qantas are locked in a Frequent Flyer battle.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members have been given a new way to collect highly sought-after status credits after the airline put in place a new bonus scheme to reward its most loyal customers.

The new scheme means the airline’s 11.5 million frequent flyer members will be able to choose between a bonus of points or status credits when they hit certain flying milestones in a single year.

Status credits allow frequent flyer members to retain and move up the ranks of the loyalty program, which entitles them to better ­offers and points-earning potential through the program.

Under the old bonus scheme frequent flyers were rewarded with 8000 Qantas points when they hit the status credit milestones of 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000.

But the new bonus schemes means they have a choice between 8000 Qantas points or 50 status credits when they reach those milestones.

“Status credits are highly valued by our members. While there are lots of ways to earn Qantas points, status credits are particularly important to our members because it’s what differentiates them as frequent flyers,” said Qantas Loyalty chief Lesley Grant.

“The more they fly, the more status credits they earn, helping them to reach a higher status level and enjoy more benefits.”

The announcement is the latest in a flurry of deals among the frequent flyer businesses of both Qantas and Virgin Australia, which are trying to outdo each other as they seek to retain the loyalty of their customers and bulk up earnings through the lucrative side businesses.

Last week Qantas partnered with online food delivery service Deliveroo in a deal to allow its members to earn points when they order takeaway.

Virgin recently unveiled a deal between its frequent flyer business Velocity and Coles that will allow shoppers to convert flybuys points into frequent flyer miles and earn extra status credits by shopping at Coles, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor on the ground.

Qantas also recently struck a world-first deal with sharing economy giant Airbnb to allow its frequent flyers to earn points when they book accommodation.

Frequent flyer business is an important revenue generator for both Virgin and Qantas. In the 12 months to June 30, Velocity’s six million members helped to ­generate $328 million in revenue for Virgin.

It is a similar story at Qantas, where in the same period its loyalty business contributed $1.45 billion in revenue.

Read related topics:Qantas

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-unveils-new-bonus-scheme-for-frequent-flyers/news-story/d5ed5c6359365cf0674d265a0cc9ac62